Curtain rod and window shade bracket

ABSTRACT

A curtain rod and window shade bracket is disclosed comprising a sheet of metal formed to have two side portions angularly joined together at a corner adapted to be placed over corner sides of a window frame molding, two substantially coplanar face plate portions extending angularly from the two side portions adapted to be placed over the corner face of the window frame molding, and two flange portions projecting outwardly from the two face portions. Fastening means are provided which are adapted to adjustably couple together the two flange portions of the sheet of metal whereby the two side portions and the two face portions of the sheet of metal may be drawn towards one another snugly over the window frame molding corner during bracket mounting.

O United States Patent 1 [1 1 3,889,912

Ra June 17, 1975 [54] EEEEQ AND WINDOW SHADE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 691,319 7/1964 Canada 248/263 [76] Inventor: Robert G. Ray, l420-B N. Cliff Valley Atlanta 30319 Primary Examiner.l. Franklin Foss 22 Filed; 1 974 Attorney, Agent, or FirmNewton, Hopkins & 21 Appl No 438 600 Ormsby [57] ABSTRACT 2 [52] 248/255 9 "48/269 A curtaIn rod and window shade bracket Is d1sclosed [51] Int. Cl. A47h 1/10, A47h 5/14 Com risin a Sheet of metal formed to have two Sid [58] Field of Search 248/252, 254, 255, 256, P g e 248/258 259 260 253 261 262 263 265 port1ons angularly JOlnfid together at a corner adapted g 6 to be placed over corner sides of a window frame molding, two substantially coplanar face plate portions extending angularly from the two side portions [56] References cued adapted to be placed over the corner face of the win- UNITED STATES PATENTS clow frame molding, and two flange portions project- 375,585 12/1887 Trimble 248/254 ing outwardly from the two face portions. Fastening 722,337 3/1903 means are provided which are adapted to adjustably 114051958 2/1922 couple together the two flange portlons of the sheet of 1,518,441 12/ 1323 metal whereby the two side portions and the two face I7436O8 3 portions of the sheet of metal may be drawn towards l 962 330 6/l934 2l44242 M939 one another snugly over the w1ndow frame moldtng l 1 6/1939 corner during bracket mounting. 2,386,861 10/1945 2,706,100 4/1955 Thomason 248/255 11 Clams 8 Drawmg F'gures SHEET PATENTEDJUN 17 1915 FIG 1 FIG? CURTAIN ROD AND WINDOW SHADE BRACKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to brackets by which curtain rods and window shades may be mounted to window frame walls or moldings.

It is an object of the invention to provide a curtain rod and window shade bracket which may be easily and inexpensively manufactured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a curtain rod and window shade bracket which may be easily installed to a wall or to a molding about a window without necessarily marring, defacing, penetrating or otherwise damaging the molding.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a versatile curtain rod and window shade bracket which may support a roll type window shade, one or more curtain rods, or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form of the invention a curtain rod and window shade bracket is provided comprising a sheet of metal. The sheet of metal is formed to have two side portions angularly joined together at a corner adapted to be placed over corner sides of a window frame molding. The sheet of metal further comprises two substantially coplanar face plate portions extending angularly from the two side portions adapted to be placed over the corner face of the window frame molding. The sheet of metal further comprises two flange portions projecting outwardly from the two face plate portions. Fastening means are provided adapted to adjustably couple together the two flange portions of the sheet of metal whereby the two side portions and the two face portions of the sheet of metal may be drawn towards one another snugly over the window frame molding corner during bracket mounting.

In another form of the invention a curtain rod and window shade bracket is provided comprising a face plate, means securing the face plate over a corner portion of a window frame molding, and a support tab defining a window shade pin receiving aperture formed integrally with and projecting from the face plate. A rod holder attachment is provided having a collar detailed to fit about the support tab and defining a win dow shade pin receiving aperture adapted to be aligned with the support tab window shade pin receiving aper ture.

In yet another form of the invention a curtain rod and window shade bracket is provided comprising a face plate and means securing the face plate over a corner portion of a window frame molding. A support tab is formed integrally with and projecting from the face plate. A generally L-shaped auxiliary support member is releasably attached to the face plate with one leg of the auxiliary support member in abuttment with the face place and with another leg of the L-shaped auxiliary support member projecting from the face plate in spaced, substantially parallel relation with the integral support tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention shown mounted to a corner of a window frame molding.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curtain rod and window shade bracket of FIG. 1 shown supporting two curtain rods.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the curtain rod and window shade bracket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with an auxiliary support member shown detached from the main body of the bracket.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the bracket shown in FIGS. 1 3 together with a portion of the curtain rod shown mounted thereon.

FIG. 5 is another fragmentary view of a portion of the bracket shown in FIGS. 1 3 together with a portion of a curtain rod mounted thereon.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane 6-6 of the fragments shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment shown mounted directly to a window frame.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment shown mounted directly to a window frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Referring now in more detail to the drawing, there is shown a curtain rod and window shade bracket embodying principles of the invention and comprising a sheet of metal formed to have two side portions 10 angularly joined together at corner 11 and two substantially coplanar face plate portions 12 extending angularly from side portions 10. The sheet of metal further includes two flange portions 14 which project out wardly from the two face plate portions. The flange portions are substantially parallel and define two aligned apertures through which a screw 15 is passed. An unshown nut is secured to the end of screw 15 in securing the bracket over the corner of the window frame molding 17 with a set of wedges 18 inserted between the molding and its supporting wall. Where the molding is thicker than the spacing between the wedges and molding sides.

With side portions 10 overlaying the sides of molding 17 and with face plate portions 12 overlaying the corner face of the molding screw 15 may be tightened into its associated nut thereby drawing flanges 14 and face plate portions 12 towards one another. This action causes the bracket to become tightly secured onto the corner portion of the molding.

The sheet of metal forming the main body portion of the bracket also includes an integral support tab 20 which projects outwardly from one of the face plate portions 12. The support tab defines an aperture 21 and a slot 22. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 3 the bracket also includes an auxiliary, generally L- shaped support member 25 defining an aperture 26 which support member may be attached to one of the face plate portions 12. This is partially accomplished by means of a generally U-shaped support end portion 28 that defines a groove in which an edge of face plate portion 12 may be inserted in tongue-and-groove fashion.

In mounting the auxiliary support member, it is first positioned adjacent the main body of the bracket as shown in FIG. 3 and then moved into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as the bracket is mounted to molding 17. In performing this operation a lug 30 projecting from an upper edge of the leg of the auxiliary support member is inserted through a slot adjacent the juncture of support tab 20 with face plate 12 and thence atop the upper edge of tab 20. With the bracket and auxiliary support member firmly secured to molding 17 the auxiliary support member is effectively interlocked into fixed relation relative to the main body of the bracket.

With the bracket duly mounted to the window frame molding a pin 31 of the roll type window shade 32 may be inserted into slot 22 of support tab 20. A curtain rod 33 may also be telescoped over the auxiliary support member 25 and held securely in place by means ofa resilient pin 35 as shown in FIG. 4. A second curtain rod may also be supported by the bracket by means ofa rod holder attachment 36 having a U-shaped channel support surface 37 upon which a cylindrical type curtain rod 38 may be supported. For this arrangement a collar portion of the rod holder attachment is telescoped over support tab 20 bringing a slot 40 in the attachment into alignment with slot 22. As these two slots are brought into alignment, a rounded protrusion 42 formed inwardly within the collar portion of the attachment is seated within aperture 21 of support tab 20 in detent fashion as best seen in FIG. 6. Pin 31 of window shade 32 may now be passed through slots 22 and 40. Curtain rod 38 may be seated within the U-shaped channel surface portion 37 of the rod holding attachment and curtain rod 33 telescoped onto auxiliary support member 25.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternative embodiments which may be used where molding is not present about a window frame. The bracket shown in FIG. 7 is adapted to be mounted directly to the inner surface 50 of the window frame while the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is adapted to be mounted directly to the wall 51 disposed immediately adjacent the frame.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 includes a main body portion 53 from which an integral support tab 54 projects. The support tab defines an annular aperture 55 and a slot 56. The slot is adapted to receive a window shade pin as previously described while aperture 55 provides means for detenting an auxiliary rod holder such as attachment 36 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The main body 53 includes a small hole 57 adapted to receive a wood screw 58. Two prongs 59 project angularly from the main body portion 53. In attaching the bracket to the window frame the main body is hammered causing prongs 59 to become embedded within the body of the window frame. It should be noted that the two prongs are oriented at 90 relative to each other for added security.

The bracket of FIG. 8 is seen to include a main body portion 60 from which a support tab 61 angularly projects. The support tab includes a detent aperture 62 and a window shade pin receiving slot 63. A small hole 64 is provided within main portion 60 to receive a wood screw 65. Three prongs 66 project angularly from main body portion 60 which may be hammered into wall 51 in attaching the bracket.

It thus is seen that curtain rod and window shade brackets are provided the components of which may be formed from metal blanks. The brackets may be easily mounted adjacent the window frame either directly to a molding or to the wall encompassing the frame. The bracket possesses great versatility in that it may support varying numbers and arrangements of curtain rods and window shades.

It should be understood that the just-described embodiments merely illustrate principles of the invention in preferred forms. Many modifications may. of course. be made to the just-described embodiments without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

I. A curtain rod and window shade bracket comprising:

a. a sheet of metal formed to have two side portions angularly joined together at a corner adapted to be placed over corner sides of a window frame molding, two substantially coplanar face plate portions extending angularly from said two side portions adapted to be placed over the corner face of the window frame molding; and two flange portions projecting outwardly from said two face plate portions; and

b. fastening means adapted to adjustably couple together said two flange portions of said sheet of metal whereby said two side portions and said two face portions of said sheet of metal may be drawn towards one another snugly over the window frame molding corner during bracket mounting.

2. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 1 wherein said sheet of metal two flange portions are substantially parallel and define two mutually aligned apertures adapted to receive said fastening means.

3. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises a screw and a nut.

4. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 1 wherein said sheet of metal is formed to have at least one support tab portion projecting angularly from one of said face plate portions.

5. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 4 wherein said sheet of metal support tab portion defines a window shade pin receiving aperture, and wherein said curtain rod and window shade bracket further comprises:

0. a rod holder attachment having a collar detailed to fit about said sheet of metal support tab portion with a window shade pin receiving aperture therein adapted to be aligned with said support tab portion window shade pin receiving aperture.

6. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 4 further comprising:

c. an auxiliary support tab attached to said sheet of metal in spaced, substantially parallel relation with said sheet of metal support tab portion.

7. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 1 wherein said sheet of metal further comprises two wedge portions extending from said two side portions in spaced, substantially parallel relation with said sheet of metal coplanar face plate portions, whereby said two wedge portions may be inserted into or behind the window frame molding to sandwich a corner portion of the molding between said wedge portions and said face plate portions.

8. A curtain rod and window shade bracket comprising a face plate, means securing said face plate over a corner portion of a window frame molding, a support tab defining a window shade pin receiving aperture formed integrally with and projecting from said face plate; and a rod holder attachment having a collar detailed to fit about said support tab and defining a window shade pin receiving aperture adapted to be aligned with said support tab window shade pin receiving aperture.

9. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 8 wherein said rod holder attachment includes a generally U-shaped support surface adapted to support a curtain rod.

10. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 8 wherein said support tab defines a second aperture, and wherein said rod holder attachment includes a rounded protrusion adapted to be detented in said support tab second aperture.

11. A curtain rod and window shade bracket comprising a face plate; means securing said face plate over a corner portion of a window frame molding; an integral support tab formed integrally with and projecting from said face plate; and a generally L-shaped auxiliary support member releasably attached to said face plate with one leg of the L-shaped auxiliary support member in abutment with said face plate and with another leg of the L-shaped auxiliary support member projecting from said face plate in spaced, substantially parallel relation with said integral support tab and wherein an end of said L-shaped auxiliary support member one leg is folded to define a groove in which an edge portion of said face plate may reside, and wherein said L-shaped auxiliary support member one leg includes an integrally formed lug adapted to be supported atop a portion of said integral support tab proximal said face plate. 

1. A curtain rod and window shade bracket comprising: a. a sheet of metal formed to have two side portions angularly joined together at a corner adapted to be placed over corner sides of a window frame molding, two substantially coplanar face plate portions extending angularly from said two side portions adapted to be placed over the corner face of the window frame molding; and two flange portions projecting outwardly from said two face plate portions; and b. fastening means adapted to adjustably couple together said two flange portions of said sheet of metaL whereby said two side portions and said two face portions of said sheet of metal may be drawn towards one another snugly over the window frame molding corner during bracket mounting.
 2. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 1 wherein said sheet of metal two flange portions are substantially parallel and define two mutually aligned apertures adapted to receive said fastening means.
 3. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises a screw and a nut.
 4. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 1 wherein said sheet of metal is formed to have at least one support tab portion projecting angularly from one of said face plate portions.
 5. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 4 wherein said sheet of metal support tab portion defines a window shade pin receiving aperture, and wherein said curtain rod and window shade bracket further comprises: c. a rod holder attachment having a collar detailed to fit about said sheet of metal support tab portion with a window shade pin receiving aperture therein adapted to be aligned with said support tab portion window shade pin receiving aperture.
 6. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 4 further comprising: c. an auxiliary support tab attached to said sheet of metal in spaced, substantially parallel relation with said sheet of metal support tab portion.
 7. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 1 wherein said sheet of metal further comprises two wedge portions extending from said two side portions in spaced, substantially parallel relation with said sheet of metal coplanar face plate portions, whereby said two wedge portions may be inserted into or behind the window frame molding to sandwich a corner portion of the molding between said wedge portions and said face plate portions.
 8. A curtain rod and window shade bracket comprising a face plate, means securing said face plate over a corner portion of a window frame molding, a support tab defining a window shade pin receiving aperture formed integrally with and projecting from said face plate; and a rod holder attachment having a collar detailed to fit about said support tab and defining a window shade pin receiving aperture adapted to be aligned with said support tab window shade pin receiving aperture.
 9. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 8 wherein said rod holder attachment includes a generally U-shaped support surface adapted to support a curtain rod.
 10. The curtain rod and window shade bracket of claim 8 wherein said support tab defines a second aperture, and wherein said rod holder attachment includes a rounded protrusion adapted to be detented in said support tab second aperture.
 11. A curtain rod and window shade bracket comprising a face plate; means securing said face plate over a corner portion of a window frame molding; an integral support tab formed integrally with and projecting from said face plate; and a generally L-shaped auxiliary support member releasably attached to said face plate with one leg of the L-shaped auxiliary support member in abutment with said face plate and with another leg of the L-shaped auxiliary support member projecting from said face plate in spaced, substantially parallel relation with said integral support tab and wherein an end of said L-shaped auxiliary support member one leg is folded to define a groove in which an edge portion of said face plate may reside, and wherein said L-shaped auxiliary support member one leg includes an integrally formed lug adapted to be supported atop a portion of said integral support tab proximal said face plate. 